Purchasing my own Equipment - Any Suggestions?

[cheftocop]

Well...Victory! Thank you Lord, I'm getting sworn in next week as an auxilary officer with a local university. Gotta start somewhere! I will have to supply some of my own equipment though. They will provide uniforms, and I have a firearm, duty belt, and some of the rig from the academy. But I will need a vest as well as pieces for my rig like radio, cuff, mace and glove holders. Uncle Mikes or similar nylon gear is perfect. I also will need a retention level 2 or 3 holster because we used a level one in the academy. As you may have guessed I am on a budget and still in the processes with some other departments for full time work(They would supply my stuff). Any thoughts about getting great priced gear or a source for maybe lightly used stuff, especially a vest? Thanks!

[DJOHNSON954]

First off, Congrats to you! I will give you my opinion on duty gear. I am not a fan of Uncle Mikes. My department issues Uncle Mikes. I chose to purchase my own duty gear. I recommend Safariland. I think my holster (level 1) cost me $104.00, duty belt was approximately $50.00, cuff cases approximately $25.00 per case. OC and glove case will probably be around the $25.00 renge also. All of my duty gear is leather. You will get varying opinions on leather and nylon duty gear.

Your department may have standards they want to to go by as far as what level of holster they want to carry. My suggestion is that if you get a level 2 or 3, make sure you become profficient usind it befor even wearing it for duty. Good Luck.

[AZ Cop]

Safariland is good stuff. I also use a web Bianchi belt and accesory holders. I find the nylon web stuff takes a better beating and is less difficult to maintain. Have to agree with the above on Uncle Mike's.